Much ado about Nothing Acts 1 and 2

Background and Influences Much Ado About Nothing was written in 1598 or 1599 (one of the later plays we will read) The central plot (Claudio and Hero) was inspired by a 1554 novella by Matteo Bandello set in Messina (Sicily) The main storyline (about a woman unjustly accused of unchastity) was very popular in England during this time period Calumniated Woman or Wife Genre: tales about women unjustly accused of adultery, fornication, etc. “Nothing” has multiple meanings, as it is a slang term for female genitalia (and the men in the play seem fixated on Hero’s) and closely related to noting (characters throughout observe each other)

Shakespeare’s Inventions The story of Benedick and Beatrice is Shakespeare’s own invention (and probably the most memorable part of the play) Dogberry, the inept and entertaining policeman, is also a Shakespeare original Dogberry was created for the actor Will Kempe, who is believed to have taken on other comic roles in Shakespeare’s plays, including Bottom in MSND Pictured here is Will Kempe performing his “Nine Day’s Wonder”

A Few Other Things to Consider Tragicomedy: While comedies usually include chaos or complications, Much Ado About Nothing includes complications that could be disastrous, thus making it (according to some critics) a tragicomedy The confusions in Much Ado are not fantastic (like Midsummer Night’s Dream) or unique (like As You Like It), but instead stem from normal social relations gone awry Kenneth Branagh’s 1993 Film

Act 1, Scene 1 We are introduced to the central characters: Claudio, Benedick, Beatrice, Don Pedro, Don John, Leonato, and Hero Claudio is described as mature for his age, gifted in warfare (but is he really a model gentleman?) Beatrice asks immediately about Benedick, calling him “Signor Montanto” (implying he is a fencer or lover rather than a soldier) Benedick and Beatrice both express their disdain for love and marriage and spar with each other; what is their former relationship? What sorts of insults do they level against each other?

Claudio’s “Love at First Sight” Claudio observes Hero and instantly “falls in love” How does Benedick react to Claudio's declaration that Hero (Governor Leonato’s daughter) is "the sweetest lady that ever I looked on“ (179-180)? Similarly to Richard III, Claudio asserts that when war ends it is time for love Why does Claudio send Don Pedro as his proxy to Hero to declare his love? Why doesn’t he just tell her himself?

Hero: A Question of Agency Note that Hero barely speaks throughout this scene; what is her attraction for Claudio? What sort of language does Claudio use to describe her? What sort of choice does she have in the matter of her wooing? Some critics read Hero as a kind of cipher or sign, possibly the “nothing” that creates the ado Do you agree? Kate Beckinsale, Much Ado About Nothing (1993)

Act 1, Scene 3 Don John states that he is unable to feign (or pretend); he must perform his true inner self; however, throughout the play he masks his interior malice with outward politeness What is the cause of his melancholy? Why does he feel constrained? Note that Shakespeare often depicted bastards (Edmund in King Lear, for example) Sean Maher as Don John in Joss Whedon’s 2012 Much Ado About Nothing

Bastardy in Early Modern England Bastardy was a problem in England among both the upper and lower classes Bastards lay outside of the laws of succession: fathers were expected to accept and support them, but illegitimate children could could not inherit They were believed to possess greater natural drives and less civility because of their parent’s unacceptable sexual activity Economic punishments for bastardy were linked to morality—not only was having an illegitimate child a moral failing, it also diminished finances (men who failed to provide for their illegitimate children were fined by the local parish; women were incarcerated) In Shakespeare’s plays, bastards are often linked to the destruction of social and familial bonds, due to their positions as outsiders

Act 2, Scene 1 Beatrice outlines her reasoning against men She is using stereotypical female satire (finding fault with all men and vowing to die a maid) How does Leonato advise Hero to behave towards her suitor? How does Beatrice counsel her? The Ball is a time of hidden identities, of freedom to be someone else; do you think the characters remain themselves? (Clip from The Globe’s 2012 production) From Branagh’s 1993 film

Is Everyone Masked? How does Hero’s behavior in this scene different from what you expect? Are you surprised by the actress? The text? Do you believe that Benedick and Beatrice know each other when they speak behind their masks? Why or why not? Notice that Don John is not masked; he is set apart from the happy festivities (like Jacques in As You Like It)

Quick to Jealousy Don John puts his plot to work, making Claudio believe that his friend, Don Pedro, is wooing Hero for himself; why is Claudio so quick to suspect and believe the lies of Don John? Who does Claudio blame for the presumed failure of his suit? How is this issue resolved? How much say does Hero have in her upcoming marriage? Benedick uses stereotypical misogynistic language here when discussing Beatrice and marriage: He compares her words to weapons By equating her actions to masculine warfare, he also plays with the idea of the “woman on top”—a sign for early modern people of the world in chaos

The Plot to Unite Beatrice and Benedick Don Pedro describes the plan to bring together Beatrice and Benedick as “one of Hercules’ labors”; Is this a realistic assessment? The plot is meant to fill in the time while Hero and Claudio wait for their wedding Why are the two well-matched? Notice that prior to the conspiracy to make Benedick and Beatrice fall in love Don Pedro proposes to Beatrice; Is this is a serious proposal of marriage? E.H. Sothern and Julia Marlowe as Benedick and Beatrice (1904)

A Second Plot Keanu Reeves as Don John (Branagh’s 1993 Film) What is Borachio's plan to destroy the wedding of Hero and Claudio? Does it sound like it will work? Female honor, as shown in Titus, for example, was based on sexual chastity and linked to issues of inheritance Male honor, in contrast, is equated with power, including military might and control over progeny By threatening to contaminate Hero, Don John and his servant hope to shame and discredit Claudio and Leonato

Act 2, Scene 3 What does Benedick believe will happen to him if he ever falls in love? He lists the characteristics his wife would need to have (like Beatrice’s ideals, they are unrealistic and overly perfectionistic) Notice how Claudio, Leonato, and Don Pedro describe Benedick as their prey and how they also use Hero in their plot The threesome list the signs of love that Beatrice supposedly displays; these are stereotypical ideas we’ve seen before in As You Like It and in the sonnets How does Benedick rationalize himself into loving Beatrice? Act 2, scene 3 from The Globe Production, 2012